Electrical device



July 18 l939 s. B. BENANDER 2,166,790

' ELECTRICAL DEVISE:v

Filed June 12, 195e Inventor-1 George E .E er1amder`,

Patentedl July 18, 1939v UNITED STATES PATENT orf-TCE ELECTRICAL DEVICE George B. Bcnander, Yalesville, Conn., assigner,

by mesne assignments, to The Monowatt Electric Corporation, Providence, R. I., a corporation of Connecticut Application June 12,' 1936, Serial No. 84,885

claims. (ci. 24o-73) 'Ihe present invention relates to electrical devices and has for its object to provide an improved construction embodying a combined'or unitary'electrical device comprising an attaching 5 member for connecting the unitary device to an electric circuit, an attachment member to which a current consuming device may be connected, and a switchinterposed between the attaching member and the attachment member for openingl 20 trical receptacle, and a lamp socket adapted to receive an electric lamp. It is to be understood, however, this is only by way of example and that the invention may be embodied in other forms of electrical devices.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is a front view of a construction embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a side view thereof; Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 3 3, Fig. 1; Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are front'views, with the cap or cover part removed, showing the parts'ln three diierent positions, the switch being closed in Figs. 4 and 6 and open in Fig. 5, and Fig. 7 is an exploded view showing the various parts in perspective.

Referring to the drawing, lll'indicates a plug base; II indicates a switch base formed integral with which is a part I2 of the casing of a screw shell lampsocket, and I3 indicates a cap or cover formed integral with which is another part Il of the casing vof a screw shell lamp socket and a shade or reflector |5 for an electric lamp.

Plug base III is formed from suitable insulating materiaL'such as a suitable molding material, and comprises an ,annular wall I6, a rim I1, a central projecting boss I8 provided with a rec- 4`5 tangular l opening I9, and a projecting stop pin 20 at one side of the boss I8. Carried by the plug base are two plug contact prongs or uprights 2| and 22. The contact prong or upright 2| has an extension 23 of reduced width providing shoulders 24. The extension 23 extends through opening I3, the shoulders 24 engaging the outer surface of wall I8 to position prong 2| relatively to the plug base. The contact. prong or upright 22" extends `through an opening 25 near the edge 55 of the plug base and at its inner end is provided with an integral radially extending arm 26 which terminates adjacent to the boss I8 and is provided with an arcuate extension 21 which partially encircles the boss.

The boss I8 on the plug base is located in a 5 circular` recess 28 in the rear of switch base II and the stop pin 20 is located in an arcuate slot 23 in the rear of switch base II. With this arrangement, plug base I0 and switch base may be turned relatively to each other, the turning 10 movement taking place about boss I8 and contact prong 2| as a center and being limited by stop pin 20 engaging the ends of slot 29. Located in a notch 30 in'the rear of switch base II is a U- shaped spring contact member 3| which engages l5 with the radially extending arm 26 on contact prong 22 and the extension 21 on such arm. When the plug base and switch base are turned relatively to each other, the U-shapecl spring contact member 3| romains always in engage- 2o ment with arm 26 or its extension 21 so that spring contact 3| is always in electrical connection with the contact prong or upright 22.

At the bottom of recess 28 is an opening 32 which extends through to the front of the switch g5- base and through which extension 23 of contact prong 2| extends to a point beyond the switch base. 'I'his isshown 'clearly in Fig. 3. The front side of the switch base is hollowed out as is indicated at 3.2and at its center is a boss 33 hav- 30 ing a iiat end surface and through which opening 32 extends.

In the front face oi the switch base is a recess in which is mounted an arc-shaped contact plate 34. The two ends 35 and 36 of the contact 35 plate form contacts to be engaged by` a switch contact and the central portion 31 forms the center contact of a screw shell lamp socket, the

same projecting down into the lamp socket. as

shown in dotted lines in Figs. 4, 5 and 6. 40

Located in the lamp socket casing formed by the extension I2 on the switch base II and the extension I4 on the cap I3 is a screw shell 38 formed integral with which is an ear 39, which projects through an openingsin the switch base II to a position behind and in electrical engagement with the .U-shaped contact member 3|. By this arrangement, it will be seen that ,the screw shell is electrically connected to the contact prong 22 through the U-shaped contact 3| 50 and the ear 33. 'I'he extension I2 on the switch base and extension I4 'on the cap are suitably shaped to receivethe screw shell as shown particularly in Figs. 3 and '1.

The Vscrew shell casing is provided with an annular groove 48 formed in part in the switch base extension I2 and in part in the cap extension I4 in which an out-turned iiange 4I on the screw shell is located. Flange 4I serves to hold the screw shell in its casing. 'I'he screw shell is held from turning in its casing by means of transverse walls 42 in groove 40 which t into notches 43 on the screw shell ilange 4I.

Mounted on the end of extension 23 is a switch structure comprising a central sleeve 44, to the inner end of which is iixed anouter frame comprlsing a back wall 45, a top wall l46 and a bottom wall `41. Formed integral with bottom wall 41 is a rearwardly extending spring contact arm 48 having a contact head 49 at its end adapted to engage with the switch contacts and 36. The end of extension 23 extends loosely through sleeve 44 and has xed on its outer end an inner frame comprising a top wall 50, a front wall 5I and a rear wall 52. The rear wall 52 has a circular opening through which the sleeve 44 projects and `the front wall 5I has a rectangular opening of Figs. 4, 5 and 6, so as to hold the parts on extension 23. To enable the ready staking over of the end of extension 23, it is provided with a slot 53 in its end forming two arms, the ends of which may be peened over, one in each direction. By this arrangement, the inner and outer'frames are carried by contact prong extension 23,the inner frame being held from turning on the extension and the outer frame being free to turn thereon. Surrounding sleeve 44 is a coiled 'spring 54, the two ends 55 and 56 of which engage opposite sides of-top walls 46 and 59. This serves to hold the two frames yieldingly in alignment. Carried by front wall 5I of the inner frame are two spaced radially extending ngers 51 and 58 which stand in the path of movement of and are adapted to be engaged by spring contact arm 48. Contact head 49 has a rounded outer surface, as shown particularly in Fig. 7 and is adapted to en gage in depressions or notches 59 and 88 in the ends oi contacts 35 and 35 and in a depression or notch 6I in the portion of the switch base between contacts 35 and 36 'to hold the switch arm in denite adjusted positions.

In Figs. 2 and 3, a lamp 82 ls shown as being threaded into 'the lamp socket.

I'he plug base I 8 and switch base II are held in assembled relation, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. by the extension 23 of contact prong 2I. vThe cap I3 is iixed to switch base II by screws 53 'which extend through openings 84 in the switch base and thread into openings 65 in the cap.

-When a lamp is screwed intothe lamp socket, the screw shell contact of the lamp engages the screw shell 38 ofthe lamp socket and the center contact of the ,lamp engages the center contact 31 of the arc-shaped contact plate 34. This is shown in Fig. 3. As a result, one terminal of the lamp'fllament is directly connected to contact prong 22 by way of socket screw shell 38, ear 39, and U-shaped contact strip 3I. 'Ihe other terminal of the lamp filament is in engagement with contact plate 34 and through the switch is adapted `to be connected to and j disconnected from the contact prong 2l, contact prong 2I being connected to the spring contact arm 4l of the switch structure bythe extension 23.

In the use oi' the device, the contact prongs 2| and 22 are inserted into a plug receptacle so as to connect the two prongs to an electric circuit.

The device is supported by the contact prongs and the plug base I0 is held stationary by reason of the'prongs being held in the plug receptacle. The switch casing II, cap I3, the lamp socket and lamp shade may be turned relatively to the switch base I8, the amount of turning being limited by stop pin 2l engaging the ends of slot 29. Since the contact prong 2i is held stationary, the inner frame of the switch mechanism comprising walls 50, 5I and '52 and fingers 51 and 58 is held stationary. When the switch base is in a position relative to the plug base, as shown in Fig. 5, the spring contact arm 48 of the switch mechanism is in engagement with notch BI in the insulating material of the switch base so that the switch is open and the circuit through the lamp is incomplete. When the switch base is turned from the position shown in Fig. 5 to the position shown in Fig. '4, where the lamp socket is vertical, o'r to the position shown in Fig. 6, where the lamp socket is-horizontal, the switch is closed, the spring contact arm 48 being moved into engagement with contact 35 in the one instance, as shown in Fig. 4. and into engagement with contact 36 in the other instance, as shown in Fig. 6. In moving the switch casing from one position to another, as the switch casing turns, the spring contact arm 48 and the outer frame comprising walls 45, 46 and 41 move with it, the outer frame turning relatively to the inner frame and being held from turning relatively to the switch base by reason of the engagement of head 49 in notch 59, SII or 6I. This serves to put the spring 54 under tension. As the switch base continues to move, the vspring contact arm 48 engages either one or the other of the fingers 5I or 58, which fingers are stationary, with the result that .upon further movement of the switch base, the spring contact arm is moved out of the notch 59, 68 or 5I with which it is in engagement 4 and by the spring is snapped into the next notch.

There is thus obtained a snap action of the switch which gives a quick make and break of the circuit. When the spring4 contact arm 48 is in engagement with either contact 35 or 36, the circuit through the lamp illament is completed through the contact prong 2l. It will thus be seen that when the lamp socket and its shade are in either avertical position or a horizontal position, the circuit through the lamp is closed, while when in a position at 45 to the vertical, as shown in Fig. 5, the circuit is open. There is thus one position of the lamp in which the switch is open and two positions in which it is closed. In other words, 'the circuit is closed through the lamp whenever the lamp is either in line with the plane of the contact prongs or at a right angle to the plane of the contact prongs. It is desirable usually that the lamp operate when in a vertical position and with this arrangement, the circuit may be closed through the lamp when in a vertical position, whether the plug receptacle to which the device is connected has its contact openings arranged horizontally or vertically. However, it is to be understood that in carrying out my invention, I may utilize only two positions, one in which the switch is closed and one inwhich the switch is open, or I may utilize three positions, as shown in the present instance, or I may utilize more than three positions.

'Ihe electrical device is relatively simple in structure, easy to assemble, comprises relatively few parts, and is capable of being manufactured at low cost; This is due in part to placing one of the contact prongs at the center o! the plug vns ' movement of the switch base for connecting the base so that the switch base may rotate, about 11: as a center, and mounting the switch mechanism on an extension of such contact prong. and I consider this-as being one of the novel features of my construction.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by l Letters Patent ofthe United States is: V

1. A unitary structure comprising a plug bas `havingcontact-prongs, one of whichy is located centrally bf the plug base and has an extension projecting to the rear thereof, a switch base ros tatably' mounted on the plug base, and switch mechanism mounted on the end of the prong ex.-

tension actuated by turning movementl .of

,Seid switch base on the plug base.

y 2. A unitary structure comprising a plug base having contact prongs, a switch base movably mounted thereon', a lamp socket carried by .the switch base having -a screw shell continuously connected to one contact prong and a center contact, and switch mechanism actuated" by center contact to another contact prong.

3. In` combination,- a plug having contact prongs, a lamp socket pivotally mountedv on the plug at an angle thereto and movable from a.A

position inline with the plane of the contact prongs to a position at a right angle thereto, and

an electric switch interposed between4 thelamp position. f

4. yA unitary structure for connection to a plug receptacle-comprising a base. contact prongs on the base, a lamp receptacle on the base having the other of said lamp receptacle members Atoa screw shellm'ember and a center contact member, a switch mechanism mounted on an extension of one of the con-tact prongs and operable by a turningmovement of the lampreceptacle to connect said contact prong to one oi.' said lamp receptacle members, and meansl for connecting another contact prong.

5. A unitary structure comprising a plug base.

a switch base, a contact prong for-the plug base havingxan extension which proiectsthrough the switch base and serves to hold the bases lnassembled relation, said switchbase being rotatable Y about said prongas 'a center a switch contact arm on the switch base electrically connected to said extension, a'cap and lamp shade carried by the switch base, a lamp socket having two contacts.

-one of which is connected to and disconnected from said contact prong by turningmovement of said switch contactv arm, 4a second contact prong on the\ plug base, and means commcting the second contact prongto the other lamp socket .through the switch base to a point beyond it, a

switch movement having a contact arm mounted on said prong extension, a lamp socket carried by-the switch base 'having' lamp contacts, one of which is engagedwith and disengaged from said contact arm by turning movement fof-the switch base relatively to the plug base, and means connecting the other lamp socket contact to the other contact prong.

v'7. A unitary structure comprising a ilat diskllike plug base having contact prongs'projecting from Vone side thereof, a switch base rotatably4 mounted on the plug base, a lamp socket carried t, by the switch base, a switch movement mounted 5 on the outer face of the switch base operate by turning movement of the switch base on the plug base to open and close acircuit between the lamp socket contactsand the plug prongs, and a removable cap xed to the switch base to house the switch movement. v

8. A unitary structure comprising a ilat disklike plug base having contact prongs projecting from one side thereof. a switch base rotatably mounted on the plug base, a lamp Asocket comprising a housing and contacts carried by the switch base, a switch movementk mounted on the outer face of the switch base operated by turning movement oi' the switch base on the plug base toopen land closeja circuit between the lamp socket contacts and the plug prongs, a removable cap ilxed to the switch base to house the switch movement, and an extension integral with said cap forming a part of the lamp socket housing.

9. A unitary structure comprising aplug. base. contact prongs projecting from one faceoi \the plug base, a-switch base rotatablymounted on the plug base having an angularly extending integral portion which forms one part'of a lamp 30 sockethousing, a switch movementmountcd on the outer side of the switch base, a-cap enclosing the switch movement provided with an extension which forms'the other part of the lamp socket housing; and lamp socket contacts in the lamp socket housing, said switch hase when turned on the plug base serving to eiect the closlng of a vcircuit between the lamp socket contacts and the contact prongs. l l l 10. In'combination. a plug base'and a switch 40 base mounted to rotate one on. the other, acontact prong projecting centrally through said bases and extendingbeyond the outer faces thereof, a switch contact on the end of the prong which projects beyond the switch base,'a cap which 45 houses the switch contact, said cap andfswitch base. being provided with extensions which form a lamp socket housing, a second contact prong projecting from the plug base having a curved extension located between. thetwo bases, lamp socket contacts in said lamp housing, means con- 'nectingone of. said lamp socket contacts to said curved extension, and means through which said switch contact is connected to and Annected from. said other lamp socket contactV when the 55 switch base is turned on the plug -base.

l1. In combination, apiug base having contact prongs, a split casing which providesa combined swi h housing and lamp socket, the switch housing, g located directly behind the plug 00 base andthe lamp socket housing to one side thereof, lamp contacts inthe lamp socket housinl,l means connecting one 'of the lamp socket contactstoone 'oi' the contact prongs. and a switch in the switch housing operated by relative movement between theA plug base and the split casing for connecting the-other lamp socket contact to theother contact prong.

12. In combination, a plug base having contact prongs, a switch Ibase pivotall'y mounted on the 'l0 plug base, one o'fv said contact prongs having an v extension which projects through the switch base fand serves to holdthe two bases in assembled relationfa lamp socket having contacts carried by the switch base, and switch mechanism carried 15 by the switch base for closing a circuit between the lamp contacts and the contact prongs.

13. In combination, a plug basehaving contact prongs,- a switch base mounted on the plug base, one of said contact prongs having an extension which projects through the switch base and serves to hold the two bases in assembled relation, a cap attached to the switch base and forming with it a switch movement housing, extensions carried by the switch base and cap to form alamp socket housing, lamp socket con-v tacts in the lamp socket housing, and a switch movement in the switch movement housing for closing `a circuit between the lamp socket contacts and the contact prongs.

14.` In combination, a plug base having spaced contact prongs', a switch base rotatably mounted thereon to turn through an angle of ninety degrees, a lamp socket carried by and extending at an angle to the axis of the switch base and so positioned that the ninety degree turning movement of the switch base carries it from' aA position in line with the plane of the contact prongs to a position at a right angle thereto,

Said lamp socket `having contacts, and switchbase, switch mechanism carried by the extension,

a lamp socket having contacts carried by the switch base, one ofsaid contacts comprising an arc-shaped plate having opposed contact stops separated by an insulating stop, and the other of said contacts having means continuously enlgaging the other contact prong, saidl switch mechanism having a contact arm engaging said Vstops whereby rotation'of said switch base operates said switch mechanisms to 'position said arm at said stops to energize and deenergize said lamp contacts. p

GEORGE B. BENANDER. 

